The NATO Secretary General says the INF Treaty is a "cornerstone of European security".

REUTERS

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Bild that Russia allegedly violates the treaty on the elimination of medium and short-range missiles (INF) and this could lead to a new nuclear race in Europe.

"By modernizing its nuclear arsenal and conducting nuclear exercises, Russia is at risk of provoking a new nuclear race in Europe, while the U.S., being a party to the INF Treaty, has determined that Russia is violating it and is going to develop and test a new medium-range missile. All NATO partners are alarmed. I call on Russia to respect the INF Treaty and to ensure the transparency of its defense projects and military exercises," Stoltenberg said, Voice of People Today reported citing Bild.

The NATO Secretary General added that the INF Treaty is a "cornerstone of European security", which for decades provided peace in Central Europe.

"Nobody is interested in a new arms race, including Russia," concluded Stoltenberg.

The INF Treaty was signed on December 8, 1987, between the Soviet Union and U.S. during a Washington visit of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

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